Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

Final Score: Columbus 4 - Chicago 2

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Jakub Voracek had two goals and an assist as the Columbus Blue Jackets took a 4-2 decision over the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center.

Steve Mason made 33 stops while Andrew Murray and Mike Commodore each had a goal for the Blue Jackets, who had dropped three of four coming in.

"We couldn't just come here and play and float through it or we'd be down 8-0," Commodore said. "We had to come here and play or we would be embarrassed. That's what we did."

Dave Bolland and Patrick Sharp each had a goal while Antti Niemi gave up three goals on 19 shots for the Blackhawks, who have lost six of their last eight games.

Chicago (99 points) maintains a seven-point lead over Nashville for first place in the Central Division and sits with the third-most points in the Western Conference, behind San Jose (104) and Phoenix (100).

"Things definitely aren't going our way, that's for sure," Blackhawks forward John Madden said. "We had a few bounces go against us tonight and that made a difference in the game. We created a lot of chances, but we just can't seem to bury teams or put them away when we have the opportunities."

Chicago drew first blood in the game at the 8:58 mark of the first period. A right circle faceoff win resulted in Bolland blasting a shot on net from the right point. It was sitting on the doorstep and Antoine Vermette wound up poking it into his own net.

Columbus got the goal back less than two minutes later when Murray's wrister found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

The Blue Jackets took a 2-1 lead with 6:35 to play in the second when Derick Brassard's slap shot from the right circle on the rush was stopped, but Voracek was there to tap home the rebound at the left side.

With 6.3 seconds left in the middle stanza, the Blue Jackets made it a 3-1 game when Commodore's slap shot found its way past Niemi for his second goal of the season.

Sharp made it a 3-2 game with 3:13 left as he skated in on a shorthanded breakaway and put the puck between the five-hole of Mason

Chicago got Niemi out of the net in the final minute for the extra attacker, but Voracek put the puck into the empty net in the waning moments of the game to seal the win.